Filling limiter



Aug. 10, 1943.A E. PIQUEREZ FILLING LIMITEE Filed Jan. 18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. l0, 1943. E. PIQUEREZ FILLING LIMITER Filed Jan. 18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. l0, 1943. E. Plow-:REZ

FILLING LIMITER Filed Jan. 18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. i0, 1943 Application ran is isst, N0. 314,513 In France Jan 12, 1939 laims.

Apparatus, called lling limiters, are already known which are adapted to stop the supply of a liquid 'to a tank When the level in the latter reaches a. predetermined limit and which operate, at that instant, by means of a vacuum produced in a movable wall chamber by an ejector pump through which the liquid current flows.

It is known, in this connection, that the vacuum produced by an ejector pump is dependent on the velocity and, consequently, on the discharge rate of the liquid delivered.

On the other hand, in manipulating certain liquids, the velocity of now has to be limited in order to avoid, either evaporation, or the formation of an undesirable emulsion. Furthermore, it is obvious that an ejector pump which is clesigned for a small output is not suitable for a much larger output, without running the risk of creating an objectionable fall of pressure.

Consequently, hitherto, for satisfactory operation, an apparatus of this type provided with a given ejector pump, could only be used for discharge rates between a predetermined minimum d and maximum D.

This involved the necessity, in order to meet all the requirements of industrial practice, of constructing a set of apparatus with gradually diiering minimum and maximum discharge rates.

'Ihe present invention obviates this drawback inasmuch as it enables the interval between the minimum discharge rate d and the maximum D for a given apparatus to be extended, under such conditions that, theoretically, a single apparatus would be suncient for usual industrial requirements and practically, only the concern of avoiding the use of too bulky an apparatus, in the case of a very small discharge rate, will lead to the construction of a. plurality of apparatus instead of a single one.

For this purpose, in apparatus of the type referred to, that is to say provided with a valve for closing the supply of liquid, the closing of which is caused by a vacuum created by an ejector pump in a movable wall chamber when the liquid reaches a, predetermined level, the invention consists in the combination of said ejector pump with another pipe which is connected to the liquid supply but which is closed, when inoperative, by a calibrated valve, in such a manner as constantly to give the ejector pump a suicient discharge rate, under al predetermined pressure, to perform its function, and to allow the excess discharge to ow directly into the tank, through said pipe, when said pressure is4 reached or exceeded.

Under these conditions, in spite of the variations of the discharge rate between very wide limits, the limiting of the level will be ensured in the tank which is being llled. This arrangement therefore enables an apparatus to be constructed which has a very large output and which will nevertheless retain all its sensitivity for very small outputs.

By way of indication and with the sole object of giving an idea of the possibilities provided by the present invention, it may be stated that it is possible toconstruct on these bases a limiting apparatus that operates for outputs of between l0,000 and 150 litres per hour for example, whereas hitherto an ejector pump controlled apparatus designed for an output of 10,000 litres per hour could not operate when the output fell below 3,000 litres andan apparatus adapted to operate for a minimum output rate of 150 litres per hour could not be used for an output above 500 litres.

The accompanying drawings show, by way of example, three embodiments of the llng limiting apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. i of said drawings is a longitudinal section of a rst embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of a. second embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a. partial section along III-Ill of Fig. 2.

Fig. i is a partial horizontal section along II-IV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 illustrates a phase of the operation.

Fig. 6 shows a partial vertical section of a third embodiment.

In Fig. 1, i designates the main frame or body ci the apparatus. In said frame is formed the seat 2 of the valve 3 for stopping the liquid current arriving through the nipple la. Said valve, which is loaded by a spring d, is normally kept open, against the action of said spring, by a locking device adapted to be released by the movement of a diaphragm 5 when a suitable vacuum is produced in a chamber 6 of which said dia,- pln-agm forms one of the walls.

This locking device is formed, for example, by a. lever 1, pivoted at 8, against which the stem of the open valve abuts and which is held in this position by a lock proper 9 pivoted at I0. A spring blade II holds this lock engaged and, on the other hand, presses it at the same time against the end oi a rod l2 which is adapted to receive the action of the diaphragm 5. A push button I3 enables, if desired, the diaphragm to be operated by hand in order to swing the lock 9 and thereby cause the valve 3 to close.

On the other hand, an external lever I4 secured to a. rotary cam I5 enables the lever 1 to be lifted The chamber 6 communicates with the suction oriiice I6 of an ejector pump which comprises an injection nozzle I1 and' a delivery nozzle I8 and is designed only to operate when the orifice of said delivery nozzle is immersed. The injection nozzle I1 constantly communicates with the liquid chamber I9 formed after the seat 2 of the valve 3. A small duct 20, which separately places the chamber 6 in communication with the atmosphere of the tank being filled, enables air to return into the chamber 6 in the event of the ejector pump producing an unexpected suction in said chamber, for example when an air pocket bursts at the outlet of the injection nozzle I1.

This system is, by construction, adapted to produce the closing of the valve 3 when the ejector pump, through which a current is iiowing at a predetermined speed v, is immersed.

According to the invention, the ejector pump is combined with a pipe 2| which preferably has a much larger passage in cross-section, and which extends betweenY the liquid chamber I9 and the tank to be filled, said pipe being closed, when inoperative, by, a valve 22 which is loaded by a spring 23 in such a manner as only to open under a pressure equal to or greater than the pressure p corresponding to the velocity v for which the ejector pump is adapted to full its function.

Under these conditions, the ejector pump has a priority of discharge with respect to the pipe 2| which opens to allow the excess discharge to flow towards the tank only when the pressurein the chamber I9 is greater than p. Consequently, the operation of the limiting device is ensured for all values of the discharge rate greater than that which corresponds to p, the upper limit of utilization of the apparatus depending only on the cross-section given to the pipe 2 I.

It is advantageous, as shown in the drawings, in order to avoid having to use an ejector pump of great length, to surround same and the pipe 2| with a. cylindrical casing 24 which enables the lling level to be brought substantially to the level o1 the lower oriiice 24 of said casing. As soon as said orice is closed by the rising liquid, the air in the casing is driven through said liquid by the jet issuing from the ejector pump. 'Ihe liquid then rises almost instantly up to the lower oriceof the delivery nozzle |8 and the ejector pump sucks in the chamber 6 and causes the valve 3 to close. The rapidity of the operation is such that at this instant, the level in the tank has only risen a negligible amount above the plane of the orifice 24a.

of discharge rates in the region of the lower limit.-

In the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 4, the same reference numerals designate the same members. The tube formed by the ejector pump |11--I8I and its extension 30 is in this case included in avcylindrical pipe 3|, the remainder oi.' the crosssection of which forms a pipe 2 |1 which performs the function of the pipe 2| of Fig. 1. The ejector pump discharges into the tank through the ori-- fce 32 provided in the casing 241 and communieating with the extension 30. The lling level is substantially on a level with the upper edge s or said oriiice 32. The valve 221 for closing the pipe 2|1 is in this case arranged in the lower part of said pipe which can discharge into the tank to be lled,`when the valve is open, through the lateral oriiices 34 of the casing 241. An adjustable stop, not shown, is mounted on the casing 241 as in the case of Fig. 1.

As in the previous case, the suction orifice of the ejector pump communicates with the chamber 6 provided with a diaphragm 5.

The device for locking andreleasing the valve 3 is in this case advantageously formed by a cam which is adapted to be operated rotatably from the outside and against which the stem of the valve abuts in the open position, said cam being connected to the diaphragm in such a manner as to move parallel with itself and allow said stem to escape, thereby to enable the valve to close when the vacuum causes the diaphragm to move.

'I'he rod 35, which can be moved by the diaphragm 5, carries the cam 36, the position of -which behind the stem 3 of the valve 3'is determined by the abutment of a shoulder 35 against an inner wall of the frame. The extension 35b of the rod 35 is engaged in a bore 31 of an operating key 38 which is adapted to drive the cam by means of a projection 39 secured to said cam and engaged in another bore or recess 40 oi the key. In Fig. 2, said projection, which is assumed to have been broughtinto the plane of the iigure, has been drawn in chain dotted lines. A spring 4| tendsv to hold the cam constantly in its above deiined position, behind the stem of the valve.

On the key 38, outside the apparatus, is pinned a knob 42 provided with a ball 43 and with a spring 44 for resiliently engaging with a fixed cage 45 so as to form a mark for the user.

A spring 46 with iiat convolutions, ensures uid-tightness by pressing the key 38 against a gasket 41.

'I'he device being in the position of Figs. 2 and 3, the valve 3 is open and its stem abuts against the cam 36. The ball 43 is engaged in' the groove 451 Said casing also enables the position of the ap- 4paratus to be ensured by guiding in the lling nipple of the tank to be filled. The insertion may be limited by an adjustable stop 25 which enables the lling level to be iixed by xing the position of the orice 24a relatively tothe tank.

As stated, it is possible, by means o1' the invention, to construct an apparatus which is adapted to operate for discharge rates varying for example from 150 to 10,000 litres per hour and which consequently meets most of the usual requirements. The upper limit of such an apparatus could, moreover, be raised above 10,000 litres per hour; but 'it will be understood that in that case the bulk of the apparatus would be such as to make its use illogical in the case of the cage 45.

It will `be readily understood that when the diaphragm moves towards the left of Fig. 2, responsive to the vacuum, it will also vmove the cam 36 towards the left by compressing the spring 4| and consequently said cam will allow the stem 3s of the valve to escape, enabling the latter to close bythe action of the spring 4 (Fig. 5). At this instant, the cam will be held in its new position by the actual stern of the valve against which the projection of the cam abuts under the pressure of the spring 4|. Y

For resetting the apparatus, that is to say for opening the valve 3 again, it suiiices to operate the cam 3,6.-rotatab1y by means of the knob 42. Starting from the position of Fig. 5, it will be understood that after a half-revolution, the projection of the cam will have escaped 'from the stern o! the will' be able to move said cam in the axial direction and valve 3, and consequently the spring 4| return it to the plane of the stem 3*. Consequently, by continuing the rotation i'or a further, haii-revolution, the valve 3 will be lifted by the projection of the cam, andthe engaging ball of.

' axis of a tube 50 through which the liquid coming from the inlet chamber I9 ilows down. Its suction orice communicates with the vacuum chamber 6, for example through two series of small ducts and 52, the first bored in radial arms 53* of a tubular part 53 secured to the delivery nozzle |82, and the second in a sleeve 54 connecting the part 53 to the frame I of the apparatus.

In the part 53 are screwed a tube 301 which extends the ejector pump like the pipe of Fig. 2, and a tube 2|, concentric with-the former, which performs the function of the pipe 2| of Fig. 1or

2I1 of Fig. 2, and which at the same time acts asv a guide for placing the apparatus in position on the tank to be lled. 'I'he seat of the valve 222 that controls the flow of the liquid through the pipe 2I2, is in this case formed as the lower end of the tube 50. The valve 222 is of annular shape and is adapted to slide without play on a tubular extension 55 of the injection nozzle |12. In its closed position it is iiush with the liquid inlet orice of said injection nozzle.

It will be understood that, without any other arrangement, the jet of liquid owing from the large pipe 2 I2 would be liable to isolate the central pipe 301 from the atmosphere of the tankand consequently, the ejector pump might operate prematurely. u

In order to avoid this possibility, it v`suillces to set up 'a communication, through the annular jet of liquid falling from the pipe 2|, betweenthe pipe 301 and the atmosphere of the tank, for example by means of inverted guttersi xed at the bottom of the tube 301 which is provided with registering recesses 51. The :filling level will in this case be established substantially in the plane of the top of said recesses.v-

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated and that it includes all the modifications of same based on the same principles.

I claim:

1. A iilling apparatus for receptacles, which comprises a frame provided with a liquid inlet and with an outlet tube for allowing said liquid to ow into the receptacle to be illled, a valve for controlling the inlet of the liquid, said valve being subjected to the action of a spring which tends to keep it closed, a chamber provided with a movable wall, said wall being secured to a lock adapted to hold the stem of the valve in the open position when the wall is in its inoperative position, and to release said stem and allow the valve to close responsive to its spring when a vacuum of predetermined value, produced in said chamber, moves said wall, an ejector pump arranged in the frame and forming a first path whereby the liquid that has passed through the valve has a free access towards the outlet, said ejector pump being connected to the movable wall chamber and adapted to create in said chamber the said vacuum when the liquid which is owing into the receptacle reaches a givenl level, and a conduit formed in the frame after said valve and adapted to form a second path for the liquid towards the outlet, said conduit being normally closed by a valve which is loaded at such a value that the ejector pump is always traversed by a liquid current whereof the predetermined rate ci ow and pressure are suitable for said ejector pump to perform its function, this second valve only opening when the liquid reaches and exceeds said pressure.

2. A lling apparatus for receptacles, which comprises a frame provided with aliquid inletand with an outlet tube for allowing said liquid to ow into the' receptacle to be illled, a valve for controlling the inlet of the liquid, said valve Abeing subjected to the action of a spring which tends to keep it closed. a chamber provided with a movable wall, said wall being secured to a lock adapted to hold the stem of the valve in the open position when the wall is i-n its inoperative position, and to release said stem and allow the valve to close responsive to its spring when a vacuum of predetermined value, produced in said chamber, moves said wall, an ejector pump arranged in the frame and forming a first path whereby the liquid that has passed through the valve has a free access towards the outlet, said ejector pump being connected tothe movable wall chamber and adapted to create 'in said cham- -ber the said vacuum when'the liquid which is owing into the receptacle reaches a given level, a conduit formed' in the frame after said valve and adapted to form a second `,path for the liquid towards the outlet, said conduit being normallly closed by a valve which is loaded at such a value that the elector pump is always traversed by a liquid current whereof the predeterv mined rate of ow and pressure are suitable for said ejector-V pump to `perform its function, this second valvevonly openingwh'nthe' liquid reaches and exceeds said pressure, and means for opening and closing the rst valve at-will.

3. A 'lling apparatus for receptacles, which comprises a frame provided with a liquid inlet and with an outlet tube for allowing said liquid to ow into the receptacle to be 'llled, a valve for controlling the inlet of' the liquid, said valve being subjected to the action of"a spring which tends to keep it closed, 'a' chamber provided with a movable wall, a slidable rod adapted to be moved in one direction by the action of said wall and in the opposite direction by the action of a spring, a cam secured to said rod and formingV nal knob connected to said cam for enabling same to be rotated at will, said cam being so shaped that when the valve is closed, the cam can return, responsive to the action of its spring, after a certain rotation, into the the valve and return said stem to the open p0- sition of the valve by an additional rotation, an ejector pump arranged in the frame and forming a ilrst path whereby the liquid that has passed through the valve has a, free access towards the outlet, said ejector pump being connected to the movable wall chamber and adapted to create in said chamber the said vacuum when the liquid which is flowing into the receptacle reaches a given level, a conduit formed in plane of the stem of the frame after the said valve and adapted to form a second path for the liquid towards the outlet, said conduit being' normally closed by a valve which is loaded at such a value that the ejector pump is always traversed by a liquid current whereof the predetermined ratevof vilovv and pressure are suitable for said ejector pump to perform its function, this second valve only opening when the liquid reaches and exceeds said pressure.

4. A illing apparatus for receptacles comprising, -a frame having a liquid inlet and an outlet A tube for liquid to flow into the receptacle, a valve for controlling the inlet of liquid to the traine,

a chamber havinga movable wall, said wall being connected to said valve to control the closing of the valve when said wall moves in one direction under the inuence of a vacuum of sumcient value applied thereto, an ejector pump in said frame forming a ilrst path for liquid to pass through said frame to the receptacle, said frame having an opening connecting the ejector pump with said chamber to create a vacuum in said chamber when the liquid in the receptacle reaches a certain level, said frame having a second path of iiow for liquid to pass from the inlet to the receptacle, a valve in said second path normally closed when not operating, said second path valve having resilient means pressing it to closed position and said resilient means being so calibrated as to ensure a suillcient flow through the ejector pump to-operate the movable wall and to let surplus liquid flow directly to the receptacle 2,326,251 i through said second path when the required flow through the ejector pump is reached or ex- Yceeded..

5. A iilling apparatus for receptacles comprising, a frame having a liquid inlet and an outlet tube for liquid to flow intq the receptacle, a

. valve for controlling the inlet of liquid to the irme, a chamber having a movable wall, said .valve having a'stem, a cam for engaging the valve stem for locking said inlet valve in open position, said cam being operatively connected to said movable wall so as to move parallel thereing a second path of ow for liquid to pass from the inlet to the receptacle, a valve in said second path normally closed when not operating, said second path valve having resilient means pressing it to closed position and said resilient means being so calibrated as to ensure a sucient iiow through the ejector pump to operate the movable wall and to let surplus liquid flow directly to the receptacle through said second path when the required flow through the ejector pump is reached or exceeded.

EMILE PIQUEREZ. 

